CGPN 2026 Agenda - Why Attend - Digital & Transformation

Government is moving from AI ambition to delivery; but the real challenge is applying technology effectively to complex, real-world problems. The No.10 Innovation Fellowship tackles this by embedding world-class technical talent into priority challenges across Whitehall, accelerating progress and delivering tangible outcomes at pace. In this keynote, Eoin Mulgrew is joined by one of the Fellows to bring this model to life. Blending strategic insight with a live case study, they will share what it takes to move from concept to impact; including what works, what doesn’t, and the barriers that remain. This session offers senior leaders a view from the frontline of transformation, providing a tangible, proven model for delivering AI-enabled change across government.

Despite efforts to reform, central government still operates largely in departmental silos, limiting opportunities to deliver joined-up, efficient systems. With pressure mounting to do more with less, 2026 marks a shift toward converged operating models and cross-government collaboration. Yet barriers remain around data-sharing, supplier management and investment decisions. This session brings together leaders to explore how government can move from isolated initiatives to a system-wide approach. What practical steps would enable data sharing and align strategy across departments? 

• How can government overcome cultural and organisational barriers to effective data sharing?
• What does a realistic, joined-up operating model look like across departments?
• How can shared services reduce duplication while respecting departmental autonomy? 

Legacy tech is a widely recognised barrier to transformation, but a deeper challenge lies in understanding what already exists. Across central government, decades of system changes, undocumented workarounds, and staff turnover have created significant gaps in institutional memory, making modernisation complex, costly, and high-risk. As departments push to adopt AI and new digital services, many are finding that progress is constrained not just by outdated systems, but by a lack of visibility into how those systems operate. This session explores how organisations can take a more strategic approach to modernisation. 

• How can departments better understand and map legacy systems before attempting transformation?
• How should leaders balance the cost of modernisation with long-term operational value?
• What practical approaches enable low-risk migration to modern platforms?